Apparatus for testing air-brakes.



Patented May 24, 1910.

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11 HN? fa l l -'Q EA nu un J4 A Tl n m 's v ATTORNEY ANDREW E GHANA". co` vnoroixmoa APPARATUS FOR TESTING AIR BRAKES. APPLICATION FILED JULY'so,19o9.

959,124. Patented May 24, 1910.

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In H. DUKESMITH. Y APARATUS FOR TESTING AIR BRAKES.

APLIOATION FILED JULY 30, 1909. 959,124. Patented May 24, 1910.

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INVENTOR TTORNEY ANDREW E (3R/NAM co, Puom-*Lmmcnnwswsv/LswNaToN, D c

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FRANK HUTCHINSON DUKESMITH, OF MEADVILLE, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO THE GENERAL RAILWAY EQUIPMENT COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF MAINE.

APPARATUS FOR TESTING AIR-BRAKES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 24:, 1910.

Application filed .Tuly 30, 1909. Serial No. 510,431.

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANK HUTcHINsoN DUKnsMrrr-I, a citizen of the United States, residing at Eiler Block, Meadville, Pennsylvania, have invented new and useful Improvements in Apparatus for Testing Air- Brakes, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to an improvement in apparatus for testing air brakes when prepared for service through the agency of valve mechanism attached to the train pipe.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide means whereby an engineer in the cab of a locomotive may determine if the air brake conduit or train pipe is properly coupled up, and whether all the angle cocks are open.

Another object is to provide means whereby a bralreman at a point distant from the locomotive may apply the brakes or operate a signal at the distant point, for the purpose of signaling the engineer, or to indicate that the train is about to back up.

The invention, while capable of various uses is especially suitable for use with freight trains, or other trains which are not provided with a whistle pipe extending throughout the length thereof.

'Other objects will in part be obvious, and in part pointed out hereinafter.

Certain of the broad features of the invention are not claimed herein, as they are shown and claimed in applicants copending applications, Serial Number 495615, led

y May 13th, 1909, and Serial Numbers 506758 and 500759, tiled July 9th, 1909.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of@ construction, combinations of elements, and arrangements of parts which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter set forth, and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the following claims.

In the accompanying drawings there are shown several illustrative embodiments of the invention, in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts in the several iigures.

Figure 1 shows the invention as applied to a freight train, parts being shown in section. Fio'. 2 is an elevational view showing a modified form of apparatus. Fig. 3 is a pressed downward by means of a coil spring 4L, one end of which rests against a shoulder 5a, and. the other end of which is seated against a shoulder 5b7 formed in the cylindrical member 3. By varying the position of member 3 with respect to the portion l, the tension of the spring 4L may be varied, and the member 2 acts as a locknut to retain the parts in position. An aperture 5c is preferably provided in the member 3 for the purpose of guiding the upper end of the spindle 5. The lower portion of the spindle 5 rests upon the valve spindle 5d, which is preferably threaded, and is attached to the diaphragm 6, in any suitable manner, as by means of a nut 5e. The valve spindle 51 carries at its lover end a valve 7 which normally covers a port between chambers A and B, the former of which communicates with the train pipe 28, as hereinafter described, and the latter of which forms a portion of the signal conduit. A conduit or passage 9 connects chamber B with the chamber C, in the lower portion of which is positioned a diaphragm 15 to which a spindle 15c is operatively secured in any suitable manner, as, for example, by screwing the two portions of the spindle to the diaphragm in the manner shown in the drawing. At its upper end the spindle passes through an exhaust port 11a, and its eXtreme upper end is cut away as shown at 11b, thereby forming a guide for the spindle and forming an exhaust valve. A bushing 11C is preferably provided within which the upper end of the spindle 15C may slide, and which serves to guide the spindle in its movement. The chamber C is preferably provided with a cap piece 10 containing perforations 10a. It will be understood from the above description that as the diaphragm 15 is depressed by pressure in the chamber C, the spindle 15C will descend, and after it has traveled a suitable distance the lower portion of the reduced portion 1lb will be drawn below the bushing thus permitting the escape otpressure trom the chamber C and permitting the diaphragm and spindle to return to their normal positions. spindle C is secured a valve 20 which normally closes a port between the chamber it and the chamber E, the latter ot which is connected through pipe 23 with a supplemental reservoir t2 in any suitable manner, as for example, by means of an ordinary hose coupling 31. The chamber F is closed at its upper end by a member a, so that when the valve 2O uncovers its port, the pressure from the pipe 23 will not inni'iediately atleet the diaphragm l5. A suitable spring 19 is prete 1ably provided tor assisting in closing th-e valve 20. The closing ot' the valve 2O and the exhaust valve 1lb is turther aided by tluid passing trom chamber l? through a groove 34X formed in the spindle l 15C, which groove is normally in its inoperative position, but becomes operative when the spindle has been depressed a suitable distance by means ot the pressure in chamber C acting upon the diaphragm l5. ik

whistle la is in communication with chamber F as indicated in the drawing. To supply the foregoing parts with pressure the chamber A is connected by a suitable pipe 24: to the pipe 2S which is adapted to be united to a standard air hose connection 30, coupled in the usual way to the brake pipe of the train. A cross connection 39 leads from the pipe 2S to the pipe Q3, and in this connection is located a check valve t0 operating against pressure in the train pipe 28, so that tluid may iiow from the pipe 28 across to the pipe 28 when the pressure in the former pipe exceeds that in the latter pipe, but will prevent any tlow in the opposite direction when the brakes are applied, or in case the train pipe should breaks in two. In order that the flow ot pressure through this cross connection may be regulated, a reducing nipple al having a small bore is inserted. lt will be apparent trom these connections that when normal pressure exists in the train pipe 28, such pressure will be communicated through the cross connection 39, to the supplemental reservoir 42, thus providing that this reservoir will contain compressed air under substantially the same pressure as that in the train pipe.

The operationl of the parts thus far described is as follows: lll/Then the pressure in the train pipe is normal, the valve 7 closes the port between the chambers A and ll, it being understood that the tension ot the spring ll is so adjusted that it will only7 allow the valve 7 to be unseated when the pressure in the train pipe exceeds the normal pressure. Under these conditions no signal will be sounded. lf the engineer desires to test the train pipe system, he, trom the To the lower end `ot' thev cab, admits to the pipe 28 an excess of pressure, suiiicient to raise the diaphragm 6, thereby litting the valve 7 from its seat, and permitting pressure from the train pipe to pass into the signal conduit consisting ot chambers B and C and conduit 9. When the pressure reaches the chamber C it depresses the diaphragm l5, thus opening the valve 20, and permitting pressure to pass from the supplemental reservoir l2 through the pipe Q8, into the test whistle 14k. ln this way the test whistle indicates to the brakeman atthe rear et the train, as well as to the engineer in the cab, that the train pipe couplings and the angle cocks are all in suitable order. ln order that the whistle may not be prolonged, the exhaust valve 11' will open shortly after the valve 20 is opened, thus permitting the escape o;t` pressure from chamber C to the outer air. As the valve 2O operates in advance ot the valve 1lb, the test signal will begin to operate betere the opening ot the exhaust valve. After the exhaust valve has moved into its closed position, any residual pressure which may remain in the signal conduit may escape through a suitable vent 232 of preferably a small area which is provided in the wall ot the chamber C. This vent furthermore provides an outlet for any air which might leak pastthe valve .7, or to carry 0H any slight excess pressure which may get into the train pipe through the carelessness of the engineer. ln order to prevent accumulation ot pressure in the chamber l), which is between the diaphragm l5 and the chamber F, the diameter ot the spindle l5C is preferably slightly less than the diameter of the aperture in the chamber 2OZL through which it passes, thus permitting the pressure to pass from the chamber D to the chamber F, trom which it escapes through the whistle. `ln order to enable a brakeman to operate the signal, there is provided in this embodiment ot' the invention a bypass 34, containing a check valve 35, adapted to permit the passage ot pressure from the train pipe 28 to the signal conduit, and also a three-way valve 37 which may be operated to permit pressure to pass trom the pipe 28 into the chamber C, or to permit the pressure to escape through the exhaust outlet 38. This check serves to prevent pressure :trom chamber C escaping to the atmosphere through the three-way valve when the engineer is operating the device. lt will thus be seen that a brakeman by turning the valve 37 to one of its positions will permit pressure trom the pipe 28 to enter the chamber C, thereby operating the diaphragm and the valve 20 in a manner similar to that above described, or by turning the valve to its second alternate position, he may apply the brakes by releasing the pressure within the pipe 2S.

The supplemental reservoir is preferably positioned upon the caboose, although, of course, the invention is not limited to this particular location of the reservoir. In instances where the train comprises freight cars which are not itted with air brakes, and the corresponding train pipe, it will, of course, be impossible to employ a supplemental reservoir carried by the caboose. ln such instances it is proposed to place the mechanism upon one of the cars which is provided with* air brakes, and connect the pipe 23 with the usual supplemental air brake reservoir of the car immediately in the rear thereof, such reservoir being a well known part of the equipment of every standard automatic air-brake system.

In the modification shown in Fig. 2, the valve mechanism is the same as in Fig. l, but the bypass 34 between the pipe 28 and the chamber C is omitted. ln the modification shown in this figure, there is a bypass 43 from the pipe 23 direct to the whistle lil, and the flow of pressure therethrough is controlled by a suitable two-way valve 4A, which may be operated by the brakeman for the purpose of sounding the whistle, by pressure from the supplemental tank 42. ln order to enable the brakeman to set the brakes, a suitable two-way cock i6 is associated with the pipe 28, which, when opened, will release the pressure within said pipe, and permit the application of the brake.

In the modification shown in Fig. 3, a bypass 47 is provided between the cross connection 39, and the chamber C, and the flow of pressure therethrough is controlled by an ordinary two way valve i8 which, when opened will permit pressure to pass into chamber C, from the supplemental reservoir, thus depressing the diaphragm l5, and permitting the whistle to be sounded in the manner above described. In this modification also, a two way valve 46 is associated with the pipe 28, for the purpose of enabling the brakeman to set the brake.

ln each instance, it will, of course, be understood that when the Whistle is sounded, the pressure within the tank will fall, and there will be a flow of fluid through the cross connection 39, until the pressure in the tank 4:2 is again substantially the same as the pressure in the train pipe.

By means of this device it will be seen that the brakeman may sound the whistle to notify the engineer in the locomotive to make a test, in order to determine if the train pipe connections are complete, or by having a prearranged code of signals, he may transmit any desired information to the engineer.

Having described this invention in connection with the illustrative embodiments thereof, to the details of which disclosure, the invention is, of course, not to be limited,

what is claimed as new, and what is desired to be secured by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended claims:

l. ln combination with a train, a train pipe extending between the engineers cab and a distant point of the train, fluid operated signaling means at said distant point, a valve to control. the operation of aid signaling means, a second valve responsive to an increase in pressure in said train pipe, and interposed between said train pige and said .first valve, for controlling the operation of the latter, and a manually operated valve for controllingl the o iliieration of said first mentioned valve.

2. ln combination with a train, a train pipe extending between the enginees cab and a distant point of the train, fluid operated signaling' means at said distant peint. a valve to control the operation of said signaling means, a, second valve resptnisive to an increase in pressure in said train pipe, and interposed betweenl said train pipe and said iirst valve, for controlling the operation of the latter, and a niianu ly operated valve interposed between said tran pipe and said first mentioned valve for conti-oliing the operation of the latter.

3. ln combination with a train, a train pipe extending between the en Ineers cab and a distant point oit the t' n, fluid opl erated signaling means at sa' Yant point.y a supplemental reservoir at s id distant point for containing Huid under messure operatively associated with said signaling means, and means responsive to a variation in pressure in the train pipe for controlling the flow of iiuid from said reservoir to said signaling' means for operating tl e latter.

1l. ln combination with. t n, a train pipe extending between the en4 and a distant point of the tri, n, fluid operated signaling` means at said distant point, a supplemental reservoir at said distant point for containii'ig fluid under pressure operatively associated with s. aling means, in Vxans responsive to a var .f on in pressure in the train pipe for controlling the flow of fluid from said reservoir to said signaling means for ope ating the latter, and means for maintaining the i rf faire in said reservoir substantially uniform.

ln combination with a train., a train pipe extending between the engine-.erle cab and a distant point of the train, liuid op erated signaling means at said distant point, a supplemental reservoir at said distant point containing fluid under pressine operati'if'ely associated with said signaling means, means responsive to a variation lin presfture in the train pipe for controlling the flow of fluid from said reservoir to said f-iignaling means for operating the latter, and automaticall;v

operated means for maintaining the pressure f in said reservoir substantially uniform.

6. In combination with a train, a train pipe extending between the engineers cab and a distant point of the train, Huid operated signaling means at said distant point, a supplemental reservoir at said distant point containing fiuid under pressure operatively associated with said signaling means, means responsive to a variation in pressure in the train pipe for controlling the flow of fluid from said reservoir to said signaling means for operating the latter, a `conduit extending between said train pipe and said reservoir, and means interposed in said conduit for permitting fluid to flow from said train pipe to said reservoir when the pressure in the latter falls below a predetermined point.

7. In combination with a train, a train pipe extending between the engineers cab and a distant point of the train, iuid operated signaling means at said distant point, a supplemental reservoir at said distant point for containing fluid under pressure operatively7 associated with said signaling means, means responsive to a variation in pressure in the train pipe for controlling the flow of fluid from said reservoir to said signaling means for operating the latter, a conduit extending between said train pipe and said reservoir, and a check valve interposed in said conduit and adapted to permit fluid to flow from said train pipe to said reservoir when `the pressure in the latter falls below a predetermined point.

8. In combination with a train, a train pipe extending between the engineers cab and a distant point of the train, fluid operated signaling means at said distant point, a supplemental reservoir at said distant point for containing fluid under pressure operatively associated with said signaling means, means responsive to a variation in pressure in the train pipe for controlling the iiow of fluid from said reservoir to said signaling means for operating the latter, a conduit extending between said train pipe and said reservoir, a check valve interposed in said conduit, and adapted to permit fluid to iiow from said train pip-e to said reservoir when the pressure in the latter falls below a predetermined point, said conduit comprising a portion having a reduced cross section interposed between said check valve and said reservoir.

9. In combination with a train, a train pipe extending between the engineers cab and a distant point of the train, signaling means at said distant point, pressure operated means for controlling the operation of said signaling means, a signal conduit operatively associated with said pressure operated means, means responsive to an increase of pressure in the train pipe for advmitting pressure to said signal conduit for operating said pressure operating means, and manually controlled means for admitting pressure to said signal conduit for uoperating said pressure operated means.

l0. In combination with a train, a train pipe extending between the engineers cab and a distant point of the train, signaling means at said distant point, pressure operated means for controlling the operation of said signaling means, a signal conduit operatively associated with said pressure operated means, means responsive to an increase of pressure in the train pipe for admitting pressure to said signal conduit for operating said pressure operated means, and manually controlled means interposed between said train pipe and said signal conduit for admitting pressure from the former to the latter for operating said pressure operated means.

' 11. In combination with a train, a train pipe extending between the engineers cab and a distant point of the train, signaling means at said distant point, pressure operated means for controlling the operation of said signaling means, a signal conduit operatively associated with said pressure operated means, means responsive to an increase of pressure in the train pipe for admitting pressure to said signal conduit for operating said pressure operated means, a bypass between said train pipe and said signal conduit, and a valve interposed in said bypass.

l2. In combination with altrain, a train pipe extending between the engineers cab and a distant point of the train, signaling means at said distant point, pressure operated means for controlling the operation of said signaling means, a signal conduit operatively associated with said pressure operated means, means responsive to an increase of pressure in the train pipe for admitting pressure to Said signal conduit for operating said pressure operated means, a bypass between said train pipe and said signal conduit, a check valve interposed in said bypass adapted to permit fluid to flow from said train pipe to said signal conduit, and to prevent the flow of fluid in the opposite direction, and a manually operated valve interposed in said conduit for controlling the flow of fluid therethrough.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

FRANK HU'ICHINSON DUKESMITH.

fitnesses W. P. JONES, A. L. NORMAN. 

